Ebola Cousin Found in Fruit Bats

The Marburg virus, a close relative to the infamous Ebola virus, has been discovered in a species of fruit bat, Rousettus aegyptiacus or more commonly known as the Egyptian Fruit Bat, according to a recent publication in the Public Library of Science (PLoS ONE).  The virus belongs to the Filoviridae family, in which the only other members are strains of Ebola, and is named after its long filamentous shape.

The history Marbug fever is a relatively short one, as it was only discovered 40 years ago in Germany and Yugoslavia.  Ugandan green monkey's had been harboring the virus when laboratory technicians contracted it - seven deaths ensued.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), "...the two diseases are clinically almost indistinguishable. Both diseases are rare, but have a capacity to cause dramatic outbreaks with high fatality. Historically, outbreaks have tended to reach the attention of health authorities only after transmission has been amplified by inadequate infection control in health care settings." [source]

Since the initial outbreak, only 7 others have been recorded, all of which have been isolated to African countries.  The most recent outbreak in Angolia is still ongoing, according to WHO, and has killed 150 of the 163 individuals who contracted it between 2004-2005.

Here's coverage on the Ugandan mine, and the bats inside...